Tottenham look set to go into their encounter against Liverpool on Monday without Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon, but should be able to call upon the services of Rafael Van der Vaart and Kayle Walker, who look have shaken off knocks picked up against Wigan.

William Gallas and Tom Huddlestone remain unavailable while Ledley King should be fit, but there are some concerns over the fitness of Emmanuel Adebayor, meaning Louis Saha could make his debut for the club.

Liverpool can recall Luis Suarez after the former Ajax forward completed his eight game suspension for racially abusing Patrice Evra, while Steven Gerrard should return having been rested against Wolves on Wednesday.

Dalglish: Suarez is stronger than ever

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes Luis Suarez will return to action stronger than ever if he makes his comeback for the Reds as expected against Tottenham on Monday.

Suarez was handed an eight match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with United back in October.

The Uruguayan hasn't played for nine games in total following his one-match suspension for an obscene gesture directed towards fans at Craven Cottage after Liverpool's game against Fulham, but Dalglish believes Suarez has benefitted from some time away from football.

"I think he has learned something over the time he's been out," the Scot told reporters. "I think you learn something every time you go to your bed, whether it's good, bad or indifferent is open to conjecture.

"We are just glad to get him back, so we are not going to go over old ground.

"It's amazing how now he's coming back we are talking about something that's not related to his abilities or the goals he's scored, but we want to concentrate on that now.

"For us, we are much stronger as a squad of players and a football club with Luis on our side - back fit and well and ready to play - and he is fit and he'll want to play, won't he? But he's learned something, I'm sure."

Suarez's return comes as the race for a top-four spot heats up, while the Reds are also in contention for their first piece of silverware since 2006 thanks to their Carling Cup semi-final win over Manchester City last month.

Wins over Manchester United in the FA Cup, and Wolves in the Premier League have further boosted hopes around Anfield of a successful end to the season, and Dalglish says he is excited at the prospect of gaining revenge over a Tottenham side that inflicted a 4-0 defeat against Liverpool earlier this season.

"They [Tottenham] are one of the better teams in the Premier League," Dalglish said. "They had a difficult start, lost to Manchester United and got beat 5-1 at home by Manchester City when Harry was still getting a few players back.

"But since then they have kicked on and been fantastic in the way they have played and the teams they have beaten. But we are not looking to see what Spurs can gain out of it, for us we want three points and that will help us more than one point.

"We will only consider what we have to do. Spurs are as good a side in the Premier League as any other. It is a difficult game for us but we are looking forward to it and we'll give it a go."

Report author of article

DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

Want more content like this?

Like our GiveMeSport - Football Page and you will get this directly to you.